Fontanille Coins
Auction 76 6 August 2015
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Fisci Iudaici sestertius of Nerva, struck year 96 CE in Rome (GBC 1603) 23.80 g.
A rare Roman Fisci Iudaici sestertius in a fantastic condition on both sides, far above the example sold 3 years ago at the Heritage-Shoshana auction for $77,600 (click here). 'Following his victory in Judaea, Vespasian levied a special poll tax known as the fiscus Iudaicus. Originally a tax of a half shekel (two drachms) which all Jewish men paid annually to the Temple in Jerusalem, it was expanded to include all Jews regardless of age within the Empire. The revenues generated thereby were deposited in the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus in Rome, and doubled the humiliation of not only paying Rome for the privilege of worship, but also seeing former Temple monies fill pagan coffers. Nonetheless, this tax provided a much-needed source of revenue for the Flavians. Domitian's strident enforcement of the tax led many Jews to conceal their identity to avoid payment; in turn, the emperor vigorously and publicly pursued potential dodgers. The historian Suetonius records one episode in which an old man was stripped naked to determine whether or not he was circumcised and therefore Jewish. To alleviate the burdens imposed by this tax, Nerva wiped out its abuses and relaxed its collection only to those, as Dio Cassius reported, who continued to follow their ancestral customs.' (source: CNG).
A delay of 2-3 weeks is required before receiving this coin.
Est. $10,000-15,000
A rare Roman Fisci Iudaici sestertius in a fantastic condition on both sides, far above the example sold 3 years ago at the Heritage-Shoshana auction for $77,600 (click here). 'Following his victory in Judaea, Vespasian levied a special poll tax known as the fiscus Iudaicus. Originally a tax of a half shekel (two drachms) which all Jewish men paid annually to the Temple in Jerusalem, it was expanded to include all Jews regardless of age within the Empire. The revenues generated thereby were deposited in the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus in Rome, and doubled the humiliation of not only paying Rome for the privilege of worship, but also seeing former Temple monies fill pagan coffers. Nonetheless, this tax provided a much-needed source of revenue for the Flavians. Domitian's strident enforcement of the tax led many Jews to conceal their identity to avoid payment; in turn, the emperor vigorously and publicly pursued potential dodgers. The historian Suetonius records one episode in which an old man was stripped naked to determine whether or not he was circumcised and therefore Jewish. To alleviate the burdens imposed by this tax, Nerva wiped out its abuses and relaxed its collection only to those, as Dio Cassius reported, who continued to follow their ancestral customs.' (source: CNG).
A delay of 2-3 weeks is required before receiving this coin.
Est. $10,000-15,000